STA gives out cash awards to 1,465 outstanding students
KUCHING: Sarawak Timber Association ( STA), through its subsidiary company STA Mutual Sdn Bhd (STAM) presented cash awards to 1,465 SPM and STPM students for their excellent academic performance yesterday.
A total of 1,067 SPM students and 398 STPM students received the cash awards of RM550 for SPM and RM650 for STPM students.
The students were chosen for obtaining at least 8As in SPM and 2As in STPM in their respective examination in 2017.
STA chairman Pemanca Datuk Wong Kie Yik said the association started the STA Cash Awards project in 2016, rewarding students from Sarawak who have achieved outstanding academic results in SPM and STPM examinations.
“To date, the STA Cash Awards has benefited a total of 3,044 students, amounting to approximately RM1.8 million,” he said at the presentation ceremony of the Cash Awards, Financial Contributions to Education and Non-profit Organisations and Sarawak Timber Association ( STA) and Daiken Scholarships, which saw the presence of Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin, here.
Wong added that STAM had also been providing full scholarships to Sarawakian students pursuing degree courses related to forestry and timber trade industry since 2005.
“Also, STAM has been offering education financial assistance to students studying at technical institutions. This year, the association is committed to assist 20 eligible outstanding students, who received RM2,500 each.
“This will enable them to attend Professional Certificate Course including Incident Reporting and Analysis Technique ( IRAT), Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan ( EPRP), Basic Occupational First Aid and Oil & Gas Safety Passport,” he said.
He also said STAM has also been working together with Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) since 2012 to improve facilities at rural primary and secondary schools in Sarawak. Among them are the channelling of financial aid of RM40,000 through STIDC in May this year to SK Stapok ( Batu Kawa) for building the school’s open hall.
“Cooperation between STIDC and STAM has resulted in almost RM1.2 million being distributed as of today.”
Wong said STA, through STAM, has never ceased to collaborate on opportunities which involves giving back to the community.
“We are constantly ensuring our CSR activities are in line with the government’s objectives, especially in supporting and encouraging education as well as research and development.
“We believe that our work matters and it is part and parcel of creating a better society and future.”